Delhi: Old & New City Private Tour with Hotel Pickup

Summary

Delhi’s tangled streets, ancient minarets and the pulse of everyday life

You’ll feel Delhi come alive as you ride a rickshaw through Chandni Chowk, stand beneath Qutub Minar’s shadow, taste spices at Khari Baoli, and pause for quiet at Humayun’s Tomb—all with your own guide and seamless pickup. The city will linger with you long after.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest—I didn’t expect to laugh so much on a day trip through Old & New Delhi. Our guide, Ankit, met us right at the hotel (on time, which felt like a small miracle in this city) and within minutes we were weaving through traffic toward Qutub Minar. The air was thick with that spicy-sweet scent you get from street chai stalls, and I kept craning my neck out the window for glimpses of those red sandstone arches. I’d read about Qutub Minar being the tallest brick minaret but standing under it—my shoes crunching on gravel, the sun hitting those intricate carvings—it felt different. Realer somehow.

The real surprise hit me in Chandni Chowk. We hopped onto a rickshaw and suddenly it was all noise: bells from cycle carts, vendors calling out for “masala!” and the sharp tang of cumin drifting from Khari Baoli spice market. I tried to say “thank you” to a shopkeeper in Hindi; he grinned wide and handed me a tiny spoonful of something fiery—my tongue still tingled an hour later. There’s this moment when you’re squeezed between people and colors and smells that you realize Delhi isn’t just old monuments; it’s alive in every sense.

Later, at Humayun’s Tomb, things slowed down. The gardens were oddly peaceful after Old Delhi’s chaos—green lawns stretching out under pale light, birds fussing in the hedges. Ankit pointed out how this place inspired the Taj Mahal; I could see it in the symmetry but also felt something softer here. Maybe it was just relief to sit for a minute or maybe that hush you get when history feels close enough to touch. We passed India Gate and Parliament House too—a blur of columns and flags—and somewhere along the way I realized how much these places matter to people here. It stuck with me more than I expected.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore New and Old Delhi highlights

• Pick up from hotel
• Visit Qutub Minar
• Visit Lotus Temple
• Explore Humayun's Tomb
• Visit India Gate
• Pass by Parliament House
• Pass by Rashtrapati Bhawan
• Visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
• Explore Jama Masjid
• Rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk
• Visit Khari Baoli spice market
• Pass by Red Fort

Top questions

How long does the Old & New Delhi private tour take?

You can choose half-day or full-day options depending on your schedule.

Is hotel pickup included in this Delhi city tour?

Yes, round-trip transfers from your hotel, airport or train station are included.

Which landmarks are visited during the full-day tour?

The full-day covers Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple (or Gurudwara Bangla Sahib), Humayun's Tomb, India Gate, Parliament House (pass by), Rashtrapati Bhavan (pass by), Gurudwara Bangla Sahib or Sis Ganj Sahib, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk (rickshaw ride), Khari Baoli spice market, Red Fort (pass by).

Are entrance fees included in this private tour?

Entrance fees are included if you book the "with tickets" option.

Is this tour suitable for travelers with limited mobility?

The tour is wheelchair accessible and transportation options accommodate wheelchairs.

What happens if my hotel isn’t listed when booking?

Select “My Hotel Is Not Listed” during checkout and enter your hotel name manually.

Is lunch included on this day trip?

No lunch is included; bottled water is provided but meals are not part of the package.

Can I customize which attractions we visit?

The itinerary can be customized after booking if you have specific requests.

What’s included

Your day includes personalized live guiding throughout Old & New Delhi, all monument entrance fees (if selected), bottled water to keep cool between stops, a private air-conditioned car with driver for comfort across busy streets, camera fees covered so you can snap away freely, an iconic rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk’s bustle—and easy hotel or airport pickup and drop-off at both ends of your journey.